Hello everyone :)
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 61
Hello everyone :)
My name is Travis and I'm 29 years old from Austin, TX. 
Wanted to say hi to all you lovely people, and I hope to become a regular poster here.
I use to be energetic and happy and confident and in shape... and full of life. My parents ask me all the time what has happened to their boy? When I ask to talk, the first thing they do is pour me a drink. The drink is my problem! They don't understand this.
Where did I go wrong... how could I have allowed this to happen ? I drink between 6 - 12 beers or wine a night since I was 21. The only reason I don't drink even more is I just run out of money. When I start earning more I am real afraid, I don't trust myself to earn more money right now. I have had a good upbringing and I think my younger brothers followed my example - they are all very heavy drinkers like me.
I set an appointment to see my doctor on Monday to talk about my drinking habits. The last time I talked to her, she asked specifically about how much I drink and I lied. But I am pretty sure she didn't believe me.
I am 29 and meeting my doctor to talk about my drinking is going to be the HARDEST thing I have ever done in my entire life, and it's going to be embarrassing. Has anyone else ever done this? Please comment... It has to happen because I failed to quit on my own and I can feel my body slowing down and losing its health.
Anyways. My goal is to begin my 30s a new sober man totally alcohol free and have new friends that are alcohol free.
Thanks for reading. I am going to go back to bed now because I have a headache. :S
Wanted to say hi to all you lovely people, and I hope to become a regular poster here.
I use to be energetic and happy and confident and in shape... and full of life. My parents ask me all the time what has happened to their boy? When I ask to talk, the first thing they do is pour me a drink. The drink is my problem! They don't understand this.
Where did I go wrong... how could I have allowed this to happen ? I drink between 6 - 12 beers or wine a night since I was 21. The only reason I don't drink even more is I just run out of money. When I start earning more I am real afraid, I don't trust myself to earn more money right now. I have had a good upbringing and I think my younger brothers followed my example - they are all very heavy drinkers like me.
I set an appointment to see my doctor on Monday to talk about my drinking habits. The last time I talked to her, she asked specifically about how much I drink and I lied. But I am pretty sure she didn't believe me.
I am 29 and meeting my doctor to talk about my drinking is going to be the HARDEST thing I have ever done in my entire life, and it's going to be embarrassing. Has anyone else ever done this? Please comment... It has to happen because I failed to quit on my own and I can feel my body slowing down and losing its health.
Anyways. My goal is to begin my 30s a new sober man totally alcohol free and have new friends that are alcohol free.
Thanks for reading. I am going to go back to bed now because I have a headache. :S
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 7
Travis I am 31, I went and talked to my Dr. 2 weeks ago. I asked him if I could try Campral, it helps you quit drinking. He asked if I had a problem, how much and was glad to write the prescription.
It is embarrassing asking for help, bu it is more embarrassing not to ask.
It is embarrassing asking for help, bu it is more embarrassing not to ask.
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
My depression treatment wasn't working, and my Dr. asked me how much I was drinking. Of course, I lied. That's what I used to do. I told her that I was drinking about a third of what the real number was. I was told to 'see if I could control it to two drinks a day'.
The day came when I came clean, and told her that I had really been drinking a couple dozen, and that I hadn't had a drink in a week. I was watching her reaction very closely, and she didn't even bat an eye. She just got on with the rest of the conversation, no judgement, just a recognition and a congratulations.
Travis, do this thing. You won't be judged, you will just get to hear what you need to do next, for your health and for your future. I wish you the best.
The day came when I came clean, and told her that I had really been drinking a couple dozen, and that I hadn't had a drink in a week. I was watching her reaction very closely, and she didn't even bat an eye. She just got on with the rest of the conversation, no judgement, just a recognition and a congratulations.
Travis, do this thing. You won't be judged, you will just get to hear what you need to do next, for your health and for your future. I wish you the best.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Notheast US
Posts: 524
Great step in making an appointment with your doctor.
I tried to find resources on my own, including using my health insurance hotline, but kept coming up empty handed. My doctor was the only resource left to me. She hooked me up with a psychiatrist, who in turned gave me names of therapists. My PCP also ordered blood tests and focused on nutrition.
There was no judgement on her part. Please don't feel embarrassed...doctors deal with this all of the time. Your doctor picked up on signals earlier that led her to question how much you drank; many doctors don't recognize the signs, so I think you are in good hands. Your lying about how much you drank is typical for an alcoholic who was not ready to admit to himself or others the extent of the problem. Now is the time to be honest with both yourself and your doctor.
Good luck tomorrow...if you are at all like me, you'll walk out of your appointment with a sense of relief that you have finally taken a firm step forward in tackling this beast.
I tried to find resources on my own, including using my health insurance hotline, but kept coming up empty handed. My doctor was the only resource left to me. She hooked me up with a psychiatrist, who in turned gave me names of therapists. My PCP also ordered blood tests and focused on nutrition.
There was no judgement on her part. Please don't feel embarrassed...doctors deal with this all of the time. Your doctor picked up on signals earlier that led her to question how much you drank; many doctors don't recognize the signs, so I think you are in good hands. Your lying about how much you drank is typical for an alcoholic who was not ready to admit to himself or others the extent of the problem. Now is the time to be honest with both yourself and your doctor.
Good luck tomorrow...if you are at all like me, you'll walk out of your appointment with a sense of relief that you have finally taken a firm step forward in tackling this beast.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,387
travis,
Another Austinite here! I think it is great that you are recognizing and acting on it right now - you are right....you can have a great next decade! Ditto what the others said about the doctor. Going to the doctor is the best first step that you can take. Congratulations on "seeing the light". Stopping this progressive disease right now is the best thing that you can do for yourself.
Another Austinite here! I think it is great that you are recognizing and acting on it right now - you are right....you can have a great next decade! Ditto what the others said about the doctor. Going to the doctor is the best first step that you can take. Congratulations on "seeing the light". Stopping this progressive disease right now is the best thing that you can do for yourself.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,777
Hey there. When you asked "how did I let this happen?". IMO this is not your fault. Right now is the time for you to be the most comforting friend you can be to yourself. The Dr will help. We are all here for you and have been in the same waters. Hang in there.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Winston Salem NC
Posts: 8
I had the same doctor for my since I was about 10 and he also treats my father. I came to him with my drinking problem. It was embarrassing, but he helped me immensely. He prescribed Campral, and I have been sober and loving it since June 11th
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome Travis!
Glad you've decided to do this..... It's scary, but don't let that hold you back. You're making a great decision for yourself and I'm sure your doctor will be very proud of you.
We're here for you, too, so keep reading and posting!
Glad you've decided to do this..... It's scary, but don't let that hold you back. You're making a great decision for yourself and I'm sure your doctor will be very proud of you.
We're here for you, too, so keep reading and posting!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 61
I wanted to give a big thank you to every one who posted in here and welcomed me. I feel a lot better! I have been coming back throughout the day and re-reading this thread.
Seeing so many other people here who have slain their beasts gives me a lot of encouragement.
I already feel differently about this forth attempt at quitting. With my doctors assistance all of you here I shall succeed and I will give my mother her oldest son back! =)
Seeing so many other people here who have slain their beasts gives me a lot of encouragement.
I already feel differently about this forth attempt at quitting. With my doctors assistance all of you here I shall succeed and I will give my mother her oldest son back! =)
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